My contribution this month is about a Rector of Luccombe at the time of the First World War. I can recall my mother’s family speaking highly of him and as she tragically lost her eldest brother during training before even experiencing active service, his support at this time must have been considerable.
Thomas Garbutt Wilton was born in Sheffield in 1860. His father was a draper and the family subsequently moved to Doncaster. He obtained his M.A. at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1886, and following a few years teaching at Chigwell Grammar School, he was ordained in 1887 and became Rector of Luccombe in 1912, having previously been Rector of Trent, a parish between Yeovil and Sherborne which is now in Dorset but was then in Somerset.
He married Mary Hallings Savill in 1891 and they had three daughters, Elinor Garbutt, Florence Ruth and Mary Cecily. On leaving Luccombe in 1920, he became Vicar of Dormansland in Surrey until 1926 and was Vicar of Bradford St Giles in Somerset from 1926 to 1928. He died in 1931 at Wild Oak, Taunton, and is buried in Trull.
Next month I hope to write about illicit alcohol drinking in the village on Christmas Day 1869, and the ensuing court case!
Thomas Garbutt Wilton, 1860- 1931
A certificate presented for “Good Conduct and Regular Attendance” at St Mary’s Catechism, signed by Tom Wilton, 1918. This design may not be considered politically correct these days!
Baptism Certificate for Rosie Staddon, also signed by Tom Wilton 1916.
Check out all of our previous pictures of the month and read more about Luccombe’s history
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